Fixed term for 12 months, or secondment considered

Location: Westminster, London, or Home Based, with travel required 

About us

The Local Government Association (LGA) is the national membership body for local authorities. We work on behalf of our member councils to strengthen local government, so communities thrive and to ensure local government has a strong, credible voice with national government

We are a politically led, cross-party organisation that works on behalf of councils to champion and be the voice of local government, ensuring it has the resources, powers and support to deliver the best possible outcomes. We build strong partnerships and networks to provide support, helping local authorities improve through a peer-based, sector-led approach.

We inspire and promote innovation in local government. We celebrate and accelerate the development and adaptation of new ideas that help local government continue to lead the way in public service excellence.

We influence and set the political agenda on the issues that matter to councils to help them deliver local solutions to national problems.

The LGA’s Values are: Collaboration, Inclusion, Ambition, and Respect. We value diversity and encourage applications from all sections of the community to this high-profile role.

About the role

As a Programme Manager within the Cyber, Digital and Technology Team, you'll be at the forefront of a critical mission: driving digital transformation across local government. This is your opportunity to directly influence how councils embrace the government's ambitious blueprint for digital government and navigate the complexities of Local Government Reorganisation in the age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. 

You will spearhead the Sector-Led Consultancy Programme, a vital initiative, empowering councils to overcome their most pressing challenges. This involves collaborating directly with them to understand their needs, strategically commissioning expert support, and ensuring the impactful delivery of consultancy projects that drive real change. Beyond this, you'll contribute to the broader cyber and digital technology programme, working with a dynamic network of internal and external stakeholders to advance our ambitious digital agenda. 

This role demands a proactive and visionary leader with a deep understanding of the government landscape, the evolving challenges of the digital and cyber realm, and the acumen to navigate complex projects within a dynamic political environment. 

We champion flexible working and offer the option of a home-based contract (salary: £73,684) alongside an office-based option (salary: £77,868). Please note that this role requires flexibility for travel and participation in an on-call rota for strategic cyber support (approximately one-third of the time, excluding leave). If you're passionate about leveraging digital innovation to build a more resilient and efficient public sector, this is your chance to make a tangible difference. 

Secondees from both Central and Local Government are welcome to apply.

Working within the Cyber, Digital and Technology team, your main responsibilities will be to:  

Lead the development and delivery of the Sector-Led Consultancy Programme, aligning it with the overall objectives of the LGA’s CDT Programme, and LGA business plan.  
Manage and contribute to the delivery of a portfolio of consultancy projects, ensuring they are delivered to time, budget, and quality standards.  
Work directly with councils to diagnose their needs, scope consultancy assignments, and ensure effective project delivery.  
Commission and manage consultants, local government officers/ peers, and other external support, ensuring value for money and quality outcomes.  
Develop and maintain a network of expert consultants and peers with relevant skills and experience.  
Lead, supervise and manage LGA staff to ensure that programmes are delivered effectively and efficiently, commission services and ensure the appropriate level of support and capacity to deliver services on time, within budget and to quality standards.    
To work directly with councils to identify common challenges and opportunities to contribute to the development of an ambitious support programme.    
Build relationships with officers and members within councils and develop digital and cyber networks and structures that support sector-led improvement.    
Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective programme reporting, demonstrating impact and value for money.    
Participate in national and regional events to raise awareness to the programme and the LGA Cyber, Digital and Technology support offer.

About you

All our roles require experience of a fast-paced working environment servicing multiple stakeholders, a collaborative mindset, and a continuous improvement mentality.

We are looking for:

A proactive and self-motivated individual with a passion for improving public services through digital and cyber innovation.
Politically astute, with the ability to navigate complex environments and engage effectively with senior stakeholders.
A strong communicator, capable of presenting complex information clearly and persuasively, both verbally and in writing.
A collaborative team player, able to build strong relationships and work effectively with colleagues, councils, consultants, and other partners.
Highly organised and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously, delivering to deadlines and within budget.
Intellectually agile and innovative, with a commitment to continuous improvement and professional development.

You will have:

A thorough understanding of local and central government.
The ability to work comfortably in policy areas related to information security, digital services, data, and technology.
Confidence in leading and contributing to facilitated learning environments.
Proven experience in leading and delivering successful programmes
Experience in managing budgets, resources, and contracts.
Excellent influencing, negotiating, and problem-solving skills.
The ability to work comfortably in policy areas related to information security, digital services, data, and technology.
Experience in building and maintaining effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including senior officers and elected members.

You must have the right to work in the UK, the LGA are unfortunately unable to offer sponsorship visas. Evidence for the right to work in the UK will be requested at the interview stage.

To apply

If you would like to be considered for the role, please complete the online form and include a supporting statement detailing how you meet the criteria for the role before the closing date.

We are specifically assessing candidates against the following criteria:

A thorough understanding of local and central government.
The ability to work comfortably in policy areas related to information security, digital services, data, and technology.
A strong communicator across all mediums, with confidence in leading and contributing to facilitated learning environments.
Politically astute, with the ability to navigate complex environments and engage effectively with senior stakeholders.
Proven experience in leading and delivering successful programmes, managing budgets, resources, and contracts.

Closing Date:        5pm, 8th May

Interview Date:     19th – 20th May, interviews will be conducted virtually

Programme Manager – Cyber, Digital and Technology Job Description

At the LGA we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Our recruitment decisions are based on fair, open competition, with appointment on merit. The LGA are proud to be awarded a “Disability Confident Leader”. If you are require a reasonable adjustment, which is a change to the format or conditions of the recruitment process to accommodate any disability-related needs you may have. Please contact us via recruitment@local.gov.uk

Our benefits

LGA annual leave entitlement is 29 days, rising to 31 days after three years’ service and to 33 days after five years’ service, plus all UK public holidays (pro rata for fixed term and part time contracts).*
Flexible & agile working – office-based staff are required to work in the LGA’s London office two days per week as a minimum, subject to business need and this may vary significantly between different roles and from week to week.
Future development – face-to-face and virtual courses are scheduled in line with developmental goals
The LGA offers 24/7 access to a free, confidential employee assistance programme managed by Health Assured. This service is also available for Dependants.
Family friendly policies

For more of LGA’s benefits and working with us, please view our webpage https://www.local.gov.uk/benefits-and-working-lga

Our values & behaviours

Our Values and Behaviours are there to give us an understanding of who we are as an organisation and who we want to be. They are a framework to help us understand:

how we work with each other
how we work with our members and stakeholders
our expectations for ourselves and each other

Our values are:

Collaboration – We value collaboration, to pursue shared goals by encouraging and utilising diverse perspectives and working with internal and external colleagues across the organisation.

Inclusion – We value inclusion, where everyone feels valued, understood, and supported to contribute meaningfully.

Ambition – We value ambition, reflecting our desire to achieve best possible outcomes for local government, communities, and individuals.

Respect – We value respect, to ensure fairness, recognition, and shared accountability.

Programme Manager – Cyber, Digital and Technology

​***Fixed term for 12 months, or secondment considered***